Music Picks: Summer 2011

Musical inspiration while putting out the Summer 2011 issue: Million to One, You Are Not Alone, and Songs for Japan.

posted May 01, 2011

Million to One

A new album from Ruthy, daughter of legendary fiddler Jay Ungar, and her husband, Michael Merenda, who are better known as half of the subversive acoustic band, The Mammals. Mike + Ruthy rock out on blues songs such as “Be the Boss” and folk-rock “Rise,” about fighting hate, and turn inward for the contemplative “End of Time,” about love and the passage of time.

You Are Not Alone

71-year-old soul singer Mavis Staples teamed with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy to produce her followup to the civil rights remembrance We’ll Never Turn Back. Many of these songs are about poverty and hard times, but faithful to her gospel roots, they are laced with strength and encouragement.

Songs For Japan

Ten dollars of charity buys a lot of hits. Red Cross benefits 100 percent from 38 song donations: Lady GaGa to Norah Jones, John Lennon to John Mayer.